Category Archives: Event Information

Nordic Walking coming to your neighborhood!

Posted on by alglemke
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This week there is Nordic Walking in every section of the Twin Cities.  So no more excuses, come on out and try it!

Central: Tuesday June 14 6:30pm

Centennial Lakes in Edina, Nordic Walking Tuesdays with Hoigaard’s. Meet us at the pavilion below Chuckie Cheese.  Free use of poles, free quick intro.

Western:  Thursday June 16  1pm and 6:30pm

 Arboretum Outdoors with Hoigaard’s  Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Free admission (just say nordic walking at the gate) free use of poles with ID, free quick intro

Eastern:  Saturday June 18 10am-12noon
Outdoors! Extra with Minnesota State Parks  Gateway Trail, Hadley parking lot. Free Nordic Walk, free parking, free use of poles with ID and free quick intro

Southern:  Saturday June 18, 9:10am

Nordic Walk This Way Free Nordic Walk at Ritter Farm Park in Lakeville   Free use of poles with ID, free parking, option of yoga before walking.

Northern:  Tuesday June 21 6pm registration, 7pm Nordic Walk.

Nordic Walk for Wolves  Benefit fun 5K walk for the International Wolf Center.  Register online or register that nite.  $25 donation for adults

See you out there!  We’ll be the ones with the poles!

Summer opportunities for Nordic Walking

Posted on by alglemke
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One of the best things about Nordic Walking is the chance to use my poles as an excuse to explore all of the beautiful parks and trails in the metro area.  We are blessed with miles and miles of opportunity, the hard part is deciding where to go.  With Hoigaard’s Nordic Walking Tuesdays we try to choose parks in all parts of the cities, from Minnehaha Falls to French Regional Park to Elm Creek to Hyland Lake Park Reserve, we have our favorites and still many we haven’t even tried.

You’re cordially invited to come and Nordic Walk at these fun events in June!

Saturday, June 4 – National Trails Day  9-11am  Whether you’re south or north we’ve got you covered.  Choose Hyland Lake Park Reserve or Elm Creek Park Reserve for a morning walk in the park.  Bring your poles, bring your friends, we’ll bring extra poles, free to use with ID, and provide quick intro’s for anyone new to Nordic Walking. You can enjoy your own walk at any time or join us for the group walk at 10am.  Meet us at the visitor center inside either park.

Saturday, June 18 - Outdoors Extra!  10am-12noon Nordic Walking with MN State Parks on the Gateway Trail.  Come to enjoy this beautiful trail that starts in the city of St. Paul at Cayuga/L’Orient Streets, travels northeast through the cities of Maplewood, North St. Paul, and Oakdale, through Washington County, and ends at Pine Point Regional Park, just four miles northwest of the city of Stillwater. We’ll meet at the Hadley Trailhead and walk the local part of the trail. Poles will be available for use with ID.

Wednesdays June 1-July 20   Women on the Move!  This 8 week program, offered by the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, is including Nordic Walking as a training option for the first time this year.  Nordic Walk and train with other women as you enjoy the trails around Lake Nokomis.  Your registration fee includes entry into the Heart of Summer 5K  on July 23.

Check out our events page for more information on upcoming pole friendly events in June and July.

The Sun came out for the Nordic Walking Open House. More dates to try Nordic Walking!

Posted on by rheamn
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It turned out to be a nice day on May 9th after all.   I fretted all morning about the dismal skyline, but the clouds parted and the sun came out and my jacket came off and a smile returned to my face.  Thanks to all that came to the open house and tried out poles, listened to speakers, volunteered and stayed for the group walk.  Wood Lake Nature Center, in Richfield, was an excellent venue for this because they a beautiful indoor center and a great natural surface on which to Nordic Walk on.  If you have not tried out this park, head on over and give it a stroll.  The largest outer loop is 1.8 miles and you’ll see all sorts of wildlife in a natural setting.  Parking and use of park is free.

Now if you missed the open house and you still want to try Nordic Walking you can go about it two ways.  One, sign up for a class, see here.  Or you can attend a local event where you can demo the poles, for instance, at Eagan’s 5k your Way this Saturday, 5/21, (9-12) at the Community Center they’ll have a Nordic Walking “Try-It” Station.   Or please join us for World Nordic Walking Day 5/22 and you can borrow some poles there (with ID) and try it out during the one hour free walk.  Current Nordic Walkers welcome!!  Times and locations here:

8am Lake Calhoun, Thomas Beach, 11am Valley Natural Foods, Burnsville. 1:30 Lebanon Hills Visitor Ctr, Eagan.

Wood Lake Nature Center, the “Place to Be” May 9… Nordic Walking Open House

Posted on by alglemke
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The sun came out today and I have hopes of putting away my wool sweaters, I’m not doing it yet tho.  But it does give me hope that we might have a beautiful day for our first annual Nordic Walking Open House on Monday, May 9 from 2-7:30pm.  In case of rain, event held indoors with enough space to show you how to Nordic Walk.

One of the goals of Great Lakes Nordic Walkers is to bring together the curious and the experienced walkers to share the fun and fitness of Nordic Walking.  When Rhea suggested we do an Open House at Wood Lake Nature Center I had never even heard of this beautiful gem of a park.  Now it’s one of my favorite places to suggest to anyone looking for a new walk or just the opportunity to sit quiet and enjoy the natural surroundings.

We have a great line up of clinics, Tom Rutlin of Exerstrider is joining us to present Nordic Walking for Stability and Balance as well as a special introduction to the unique technique of his Exerstrider poles.  Other clinics will be “What’s the Buzz” conversations about Nordic Walking and what it’s all about, Nordic Walking for Girl Scouts Fitness Walking Badge, Nordic Walking for Runners and Active Body Active Brain.  The complete schedule is available here.

All afternoon there will be Nordic Walking Instructors available with poles to introduce you to the joys of walking with poles. Whenever you come I can guarantee you a lesson!  Doesn’t get much better than that.

The afternoon will finish with a group walk at 6:30pm.  As always poles will be available (with ID) for the walk and all levels of energy and expertise are invited.  Bring your poles, bring a friend, come meet new friends on the trail.

This event will kick off a great summer of Nordic Walking.   See you there!

Get Ready, Get Set for May 9 Nordic Walking Open House. May 18 certification, May 22 World Nordic Walking Day

Posted on by rheamn
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With Spring finally here we are all ready to get active once again.  Would you like to learn how to Nordic Walk or maybe just listen in on what it’s all about or meet others that are already Nordic Walking?  Come to our Free open house on Monday, May 9th at Wood Lake Nature Center in Richfield anytime from 2 – 7:30.  Qualified Nordic Walking instructors on hand.

You’ll find continuous Nordic Walking mini lessons to get you started, poles to use with ID.  Multiple clinics, see schedule here.  Group walk at 6:30.  Hope to see you there.

In other news, if you are interested in becoming a Nordic Walking Instructor or Group Leader, a certification class is to be held on Weds May 18, at Hyland Park Reserve in Bloomington, MN.  More details here.

And finally, on May 22, it is World Nordic Walking Day.   Get out in your area and show off those poles.  You’re welcome to join other Nordic Walkers at 8am @ Lake Calhoun, Thomas Beach, with the Nordic Walking Queen, or  11am at Valley Natural Foods, Burnsville with Nordic Walk This Way or 1:30 Lebanon Hills Visitor Center, Eagan with Nordic Walk This Way. Poles available for use if you don’t own your own.

Boost Endurance and Build Upper Body Strength with Nordic Walking Poles

Posted on by rheamn
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By Rhea Kontos, Certified Nordic Walking Instructor

I have running to thank for introducing me to Nordic Walking (NW). Several years ago I decided to revisit running after a sore knee had convinced me to give it up. I fell in serious like

Heart of Summer

with it again, even though my knee continued to talk to me.  I joined a local training group called “Women on the Move“, and started an 8-week training course that helped me run “The Heart of Summer” race successfully.

Not long after, I read about the benefits of Nordic Walking. I learned that NW was originally an off season training technique for elite cross-country skiers. The article said I could burn up to 40% more calories than just walking, take up to 30% of the impact off ankles, knees and low back, improve my posture, build upper body strength and cardio endurance. I went right out and got some NW poles (not to be confused with Trekking poles!).

Within a short time I was hooked. The knee pain subsided, my upper-body posture and strength dramatically improved and I noticed a big cardio endurance boost. Today I still run an occasional event, sometimes with my NW poles, sometimes not. But I always train with them, often doing run/walk intervals. After all NW not only engages 90% of your muscles, it’s also fun…what’s not to like?!

Check out this 2 minute video showing basic NW technique and variations for training. Then check out all the classes offered here on this website. And finally, note that Women on the Move is incorporating NW into their Summer Training program at Lake Nokomis.  It’s really catching on!

Howling with the Nordic Walk for Wolves Event

Posted on by rheamn
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It was a perfect night for a walk when over 60 people arrived at French Park in Plymouth for the first annual Nordic Walk for Wolves.  The event was a benefit for the International Wolf Center in Ely.  We had plenty of LEKI Nordic Walking poles for anyone there for their first Nordic Walk and did lots of fitting and introducing people to poles.

The 5K walk started at 6pm and was all on trail through the wetlands, prairie and into the woods. All in all we raised over $12,000, not bad for a first time event.  The best thing was that it was a Nordic Walking event, not just a walk or run that decided to allow people to walk with poles.  As we finished the walk under the lights on the trail it was clear that many had discovered a new favorite way to walk.

Sunday, 10/10/10 is World Nordic Walking Day – Come out and walk

Posted on by rheamn
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The International Nordic Walking Association is celebrating their 1oth year on 10/10/10 and invites everyone to Nordic Walk somewhere on World Nordic Walking day.  Walks are being held all over the world including here in Minnesota.   At this time, Great Lakes Nordic Walkers have 3 walks for you to chose from, with the possibility of more offerings that will be posted by mid-week.  So far, walks are:

9 am. Linda Lemke/Nordic Walking Queen/Hoigaard’s  will be walking at Lake Calhoun.  Start at Thomas Beach ( Thomas Ave. S and West Calhoun Parkway) and go the distance around the lake which is 3 miles.  Extra poles will be available if you need a pair or want to bring a friend!  Perhaps we’ll find a cup of coffee when  we’re done! I hope you’ll join me!
Or:

1 pm Nordic Walk This Way.  Rhea Kontos.  Burnsville/Apple Valley. Meet in the outer lot of Valley Natural Foods (13750 Co. Rd. 11).   1 hour on the  a nice and wide sidewalk of McAndrews  Rd. First 15 to arrive to walk will receive a coupon for a free smoothie. Discount cards available too.   Extra poles available so bring a friend.

Or:

12:30 Prior Lake, Shepherd of the Lake paved walking path. 3575 North Berens Road N.W.  Certified instructor,  Nanette Denk will lead this walk on your choice of 1, 2 or 3 miles. Meet just outside the NE doors of Shepherd/McKenna.  Please bring your poles and a friend.  Poles not required to join us.

Or:  If  you can’t join either of these walks please feel compelled to Nordic Walk in your own community. Show those poles off and walk proud!

Note to certified Nordic Walking instructors:  If you’d like to be added to this list of locations, please send an email with details to greatlakesnordicwalkers@gmail.com

The Birkie Trek was an awesome event. If you missed it, come next year on Sept 24, 2011

Posted on by rheamn
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Can you believe how all 800 participants lucked out?  No rain on Sept 25 and the temperature was perfect.  It seemed that we couldn’t get enough of the scenery and good company  of one another.  Results and more pictures are posted on the Birkie site.  The Nordic Walking Birkie Trek was not timed and shows 113 Nordic Walkers finishing, yet a few more than that registered.  110 did the 5k by either running or walking (some with poles).  166 crossed the finish line by running the 21k while 73 completed this year’s  inaugural marathon.   Still others (232) did the relay  marathon with teams of three or six.

The Fall foliage was magnificent.

The organizers of the Birkie really pulled out all the stops this year by setting up a huge tent, along with hiring a band or two.  The food was delicious too.  Awards were presented to the top three in their respective age divisions. I think they must have ordered sunshine that day too. Thank you to all the organizers and volunteers who executed a terrific event for all ages.  We imagine this event will continue to grow.  Come join us next year, Sept 24, 2011.

We did miss Nordic Walkers,  Ed and Barbara Urbanski, this year and we reminisced about them throughout the event.

Trail Loppet post report

Posted on by rheamn
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Cool weather for the annual Trail Loppet at Theodore Wirth Park in Minneapolis.  This was the fist year that a Nordic Walking division was offered (thank you to Hoigaard’s and Linda Lemke’s involvement), a 1/2 marathon with 10k option as well as a 5k . A quick head count before the start of the 1/2 marathon indicated nearly 40 participants in this inaugural division.  Estimated that most in the group took the 10k option, yet many did complete the entire 1/2 marathon.  The fastest time in the 1/2 marathon for the ladies was 3 hr, 10 minutes with some finishing in at about the 4 hour mark.  This was ‘no easy walk in the park’ type course, but a challenging hilly and rocky path that narrowed to a single lane at times.  Runners shared this course with us at about the 1.5 hour mark, so that proved to be interesting especially along the narrow portions.  Congratualtions and thank you to all that gave this course their all.

Not to late to sign up for next week’s Birkie Trek in Hayward Wisconsin 9/25.  Also hilly, yet a wide grassy trail.